In this article, we will look at the 5 countries hosting the most foreign students in the world. If you want to read our detailed analysis, you can go directly to the 15 Countries Hosting the Most Foreign Students in the World.
5. Russia
Number of International Students (2021): 321,845
Inbound Mobility Ratio (2021): 8.11%
Total Enrolment in Tertiary Education (2021): 3,969,619
Russia ranks as the 5th country hosting the most foreign students in the world. It had an Inbound mobility ratio of 8.11% in 2021 and hosted approximately 321,845 international students during the same year. The Lomonosov Moscow State University is one of the best universities in Russia and ranks in the top 100 as per the QS World University ranking.
4. Germany
Number of International Students (2021): 376,359
Inbound Mobility Ratio (2021): 11.23%
Total Enrolment in Tertiary Education (2021): 3,351,573
Germany is a Western European country that ranks 4th on our list of 15 countries hosting the most foreign students in the world. Germany had an inbound mobility ratio of 11,23% and hosted around 376,359 international students in 2021. The Technical University of Munich is one of the best universities in Germany and ranks among the top 50 universities as per the QS World University ranking.
3. Australia
Number of International Students (2021): 378,439
Inbound Mobility Ratio (2021): 21.89%
Total Enrolment in Tertiary Education (2021): 1,728,866
Australia is the 3rd country hosting the most foreign students in the world. It had an inbound mobility ratio of 21,89% and hosted approximately 378,439 international students in 2021. The University of Melbourne, The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), and the University of Sydney are among some of the best universities in Australia and are ranked in the top 20 as per the QS World University ranking.
2. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Number of International Students (2021): 600,589
Inbound Mobility Ratio (2021): 20.06%
Total Enrolment in Tertiary Education (2021): 2,993,903
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks as the 2nd best country hosting the most foreign students in the world. It had an inbound student mobility ratio of 20.06% in 2021 and hosted 600,589 international students during the same year.
1. United States of America
Number of International Students (2021): 833,204
Inbound Mobility Ratio (2021): 4.59%
Total Enrolment in Tertiary Education (2021): 18,159,427
The United States of America is the top country hosting the most foreign students in the world. It is one of the most sought-after higher education destinations for international students. The country had an inbound mobility ratio of 4.59% and hosted around 833,204 international students in 2021. Four US universities including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University rank among the top 10 universities as per the QS World University ranking. If you want to read more about the universities in the United States, you can look at the 15 Fastest Rising Universities in the US.
You can also look at the 17 Countries With Best Universities In Africa and the 17 Countries With Best Universities In Europe.